Chafing-shield.



M. BOUVIER.

CHAFING SHIELD.

APPLICATION FILED MAY 12, 1913.

Patemed Jan. 1, 1918,

3mm ntor h tt'messes MARIE BOUVIER, OF PARIS, FRANCE.

CHAFING-SHIELID.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, MARIE Bouvin n'a ci'ti-' zen of the Republic of Franee,.res iding at Paris. 190 Boulevard Haussmanm'in'the Itepublic of France, manufacturer, have 1nvented certain new and useful Improvements in Chafinghields, of which the following is a specification.

The present invention relates to an article preventing irritation and soreness or injury which may occur on the inside of the leg or legs of a person during walking, which is frequently the ease particularly with stout persons, or persons whose legs due to pcculiar formation or to some particular mode of walking are particularly liable to become sore in the crotch. As is well known complaints of this kind are especially frequent in hot climates.

The article produced according to this invention has for its object to prevent the inside of the leg or the crotch from becoming sore and by its application to counteract the friction or rubbing during the move ment of walking. Broadly speaking, this protector consists of a piece of cloth or fabric adapted to embrace the leg or limb at the required place and of an annular member by means of which it may be applied or fixed with the aid of adjustable bands or suspenders. The fabric is preferably triangular so that one of its upper sides may be used to adapt itself as closely as possible to the part to which the protector is to be applied while its lateral points are connected one to the other in the rear of the leg.

A preferable form of the device is shown by way of example in the accompanying drawing in which- Figure 1 is a perspective view of the protector in its position on the leg.

Fig. 9. illustrates the device in extended or flattened out position, and

Fig. 3 is a section on line 3-3 of Fig. 2.

As shown, the device consists of a piece or pad 0 of any suitable material of which the upper edge 7) c rises obliquely for a certain length so as to fit the portion of the thigh extending down to the crotch. From the highest point 0 of this part the second upper edge 0 (Z descends abruptly down to the lower edge 6 (Z which lies substantially in horizontal direction. The general eonfiguration of the fabric or pad is therefore that of a triangle, although I do not wish Application filed May 12, 1913. Serial No. 767,195.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented-Jan. 1, 1918.

to limit myself to any particular shape, thereof. At oneend of the horizontal edge is attached a buckle or clip (Z and at the other end an elastic band or tape 6. The

summit or apex 0 of the triangular pad and the point 7) to which the elastic tape'is attached are. provided with supports or suspenders f g of which thelength is adjustable by means of "suitable buckles or'clasps It. Qne or both of the suspenders may moreover be provided with an elastic portion, such as 70.

According to Fig. 1 the article is applied to the thigh. The oblique top edge I) c is so placed that the whole of the inside portion of the leg, which is most liable to be affected by friction during walking, is entirely covered and protected by the fabric the suspenders being attached to the waist band or a corresponding portion at of the under garment.

Owing to the elasticity of the tapes or suspenders e k the device can be used by persons of almost any size or waist dimension.

By preference the portion of the fabric or pad, which is located on the inside of the leg is provided or lined with a layer of caoutchouc or the like, as indicated at m in Fig. 2. Some suitable impermeable material such as taffetas may for this purpose be interposed between two layers of cloth, or if desired, the cloth itself may be entirely replaced by the impermeable tissue, or the latter may be attached to the cloth portion or pad in some movable manner for instance, by means of lace, buttons, hooks or the like.

Devices adapted to surround the top of the thigh with a View to avoiding wounds caused by friction have already been proposed. Such devices are as a rule suspended from the waist by means of adjustable bands. Some of these known arrangements also include a layer of caoutchoue in order to exclude the effect of perspiration. The device according to the invention, however, is distinguished by the particular conformation of the piece of fabric, which has the effect of insuring its fixture on the thigh in the vertical as well as in the circular sense. This fixture is due to the fact that the bandage under each thigh is independent of the follows the curve of the groin. Further, its top or apex and the point where the suspending ribbon is attached in front are located in the hollow of the groin, near the front ridge of the iliac bone, and the back suspension ribbon passes under the natural curve or rear swelling of the thigh.

Claim:

A chafing shield comprising a substantially triangular flexible member having an elongated base forming the lower edge of the shield, the apex of said member being arranged nearer one end than the other with the edge between said apex and the adjacent end of the member inclined abruptly, the edge between said apex and the remote end of said member being gradually inclined and curved slightly inward, a fastening strap secured to said remote end and extending longitudinally therefrom, an adjustable suspension strap extending upwardly at right angles from said end, a fastening element on the other end of said member for cooperation with said fastening strap, an adjustable suspension strap extending upwardly from said apex and a waist band engaged with said sus ension straps.

n testimony, that I claim the foregoingv as my invention I have signed my name in presence of two subscribin witnesses.

MARI BOUVIER. Witnesses:

MAURICE Roux, HANSON G. Coxn.

copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the "Commissioner of Patents. Washington, D. G. 

